From chemical ingredients to the final blister: how medicines are being packed?

When someone buys medicines, he often does not fully understand how long could be the path from pure substance to finally shaped and packed tablet.

This procedure is sophisticated and must be performed under special conditions. Manufacturing is the first step, after that drugs need to be boxed up and repacked.

After producing, the medicines are boxed up into bulk packages and shipped further. Pharmaceutical repackaging is generally realised by an external firm. This institution gets medicines and then distributes them into smaller packagings, for example blisters in cartons or plastic bottles. The packages, in which drugs are transferred have to meet special requirements. Sometimes the constant temperature is required to preserve all the qualities. That is the reason why some packages are particularly insulated. The process is called a „cold chain”. For example, some types of capsules or vaccines have to be stored in the fridge – in patient’s home too. The other form of pharmaceutical repackaging takes place in pharmacies. Some patients come to the pharmacy for prescription medicines. The appropriate medicine is made by pharmacist following the physicians’ guidelines. So the pharmacies get larger amounts of specific substances, which are next divided into tinier parts, properly combined and packed in smaller containers for users. The pharmacist informs the patient how to keep this medicine and how much time it can be used without losing its properties.

A medicine is a special product, which needs to be packed with special care and stored in particular conditions. The whole process ensures that pharmaceutical gets in patient’s hands in perfect condition and its value is completely maintained.